Diana Kidd

"I put my hand where she has traced hers. And she does the same, putting her hand on mine. 'We're best friends now, aren't we' she says 'friends forever'. 'Best friends forever' I whisper"

When the Rileys move in next door, Lily and Ella become the best of friends. Lily and her brother Jake are around there all the time, playing with Ella and Danny and listening to Aunty Maisie's stories about her possum skin rug. But Lily can't understand why her dad doesn't like the Riley's and she doesn't show more like the things he says about them. Why is he being so horrible and mean? Why doesn't he want them to go over there?

I really enjoyed watching the relationship blossom in this book, focusing on all the things each of the characters had in common rather than the differences. The football culture, love of story telling, creating music together and cooking ad eating as well as exploring nature together. When Jake gets into trouble at the end of the book, disagreements are resolved because everyone just wants the best for their kids. Written in a very gentle way suitable for young readers. show less

"Through first-person narration, Kidd sensitively and eloquently conveys the thoughts of a young Vietnamese refugee who has found a new home in Australia with a kindly restaurateur. At the beginning of the book, Nam-Huong is unable to laugh, cry or verbalize her feelings to others; in her own words, she is like the wooden duck given to her by her beloved grandfather, who has recently died. No one knows how much she misses him and the other members of her family, with whom she has lost show more contact. Eventually, an understanding teacher helps Nam-Huong break through her shield of silence and reexperienceok the pleasures of being alive. Emerging as a mosaic of memories and observations, this concisely wrought novel proves highly effective in revealing how the narrator's past affects her ability to adapt to a new environment. Even if readers cannot relate to the atrocities Nam-Huong has endured, they will feel the depth of her sorrow and will come to understand her reluctance to reestablishok bonds of trust. Ages 7-10" - http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-531-05870-1 show less

Nam-Huong is adjusting to life in Australia after escaping from the Vietnam War. Having left behind her whole family, and unsure whether they are alive or not, Nam is unsure how to react to normal life. Eventually Nam's memories erupt and she talks through her memories and emotions with a sympathetic teacher, thus enabling her to move on.

Kids' books have so many short sentences!